Lead Operation Excellence Specialist

World-changing careers, enabled by Johnson Matthey. With more than 200 years history, join us and help to accelerate the transition to net-zero! As a Lead Operational Excellence Specialist you’ll contribute to JM’s mission as a world leader in sustainable technology, transforming energy and reducing carbon emissions for a cleaner, brighter future.

The Lead Operational Excellence Specialist plays a key role in driving continuous improvement and operational performance across CA Devon, US.  Supporting Region OPEX Manager by Working closely with site leadership, site teams and other functions, the role identifies operational priorities, leads or supports key improvement programs, and delivers tangible outcomes that enhance operational performance and maturity. The role combines hands-on improvement work with analytical problem solving, helping sites address performance challenges and deliver tangible Operational Excellence savings. They will embed best practices, achieve the required operational maturity, and strengthen capabilities through the structured JM Production System (JMPS). The specialist will contribute directly to site strategy delivery, facilitate knowledge sharing across the region, and apply data-driven methods to improve processes, productivity, quality, and reliability.

The Role:

As the Lead Operational Excellence Specialist, you will help drive our goals by:

Operational Excellence Delivery

• Identify operational priorities and improvement opportunities in partnership with site management, functions and Site & Region operations leaders
• Lead or support key operational excellence programs and improvement initiatives across site
• Deliver measurable improvements in operational performance, including productivity, efficiency, quality, safety and cost
• Support the execution of Site operational excellence roadmaps and priorities

Site Strategy & Improvement Execution

• Partner with site leadership teams to support the delivery of site strategies through targeted improvement initiatives
• Facilitate and lead improvement activities such as Kaizen events, value stream analysis, and structured problem-solving workshops as per Site OPEX Delivery plan
• Ensure improvement initiatives translate into sustainable changes to processes, systems, and behaviors

Analytical & Technical Problem Solving

• Lead expert ideation sessions to generate and evaluate improvement opportunities
• Conduct root cause analysis to address operational issues and performance gaps
• Apply data analytics and performance insights to identify process improvement opportunities

Operational Maturity & Production System

• Improve operational maturity of Site through adoption and consistent application of the structured production system (JMPS) following deployment roadmap framework at Shop Floor
• Assess current operational practices and identify opportunities to strengthen operational maturity and capabilities at site
• Embed appropriate standardized tools, processes, and governance aligned with the production system

Best Practice Sharing & Capability Building, Promotion & Recognition

• Adopt & Deploy operational best practices from sites & industry at Devon site
• Support the development of continuous improvement capabilities within site teams through training, coaching and facilitation
• Contribute to building a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement at Devon Site
• Promote the Site Achievement internally & globally at JM using variety of comms platform, also celebrating success by developing & deploying recognitions programs at site.

Key Skills that will help you succeed in this role:

• Experience in Operational Excellence, Continuous Improvement, Operations or related roles
• Demonstrated ability to program manage, lead or support improvement initiatives with measurable results
• Experience applying structured problem-solving techniques and continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma)
• Strong process, analytical and data interpretation skills
• Experience working in operational or production environments (e.g., manufacturing, logistics, operations)
• Structured problem solving and analytical thinking
• Strong stakeholder engagement, collaboration, and influencing skills
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills
• Strong internal and external customer focus with the ability to negotiate and prioritize deadlines accordingly

Even if you only match some of the skills, we’d love to hear from you to discuss further!

What we offer:

We make sure salaries are fair, competitive and aligned to individual roles, experience and responsibilities. We also support hybrid and flexible working and offer comprehensive employee benefits , including health, life, disability and retirements plans that support our employees’ financial and physical wellbeing, such as:

• Retirement Savings (401K Match, plus an additional Employer Contribution)
• 20 days annual PTO (varies for shift- based roles)
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Health Insurance (Medical, Prescription,  Dental and Vision)
• Voluntary Benefits
• Wellbeing  Programs and Incentives
• Tuition Assistance
• Parental Leave

Ready to make a meaningful impact on your career and the environment? Join us and help shape a sustainable future while advancing your career!

At JM, inclusivity is central to our values. We create an environment where everyone can thrive, embracing diverse perspectives to tackle challenges and ensure all colleagues feel valued and connected. For any queries or accessibility requirements, please contact GlobalRecruit@matthey.com. We will work with you to make suitable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. All conversations are confidential, and your feedback is welcome to help us provide an accessible and positive recruitment experience.

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Johnson Matthey Plc is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief.